Tag Archive for: BASIS

BASIS Appoints Interim Chief Operating Officer

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BASIS Appoints Interim Chief Operating Officer: BASIS Registration has appointed Mark Spurdens as Interim Chief Operating Officer.

Mark brings extensive experience across the Agri-Food sector and professional development, including senior leadership roles within fresh produce and technical operations. He also supports Professional development through pro bono work  in education and as a member of the Institute of Food Science and Technology Scientific Committee.

BASIS Appoints Interim Chief Operating Officer

BASIS Appoints Interim Chief Operating Officer

In his interim role, Mark will lead operations while BASIS moves forward with the recruitment of a new permanent Chief Executive. following the resignation of Corrina Urquhart

William Burgess, Chairman, said: “Mark brings valuable operational experience and sector knowledge. His appointment ensures continuity while we proceed with the recruitment of a permanent Chief Executive.”

Mark said he is pleased to be supporting BASIS during this period and looks forward to working with the team and stakeholders as the organisation continues to deliver for members.

The recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive will continue in due course.

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BASIS to debut at SALTEX 2025

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BASIS to debut at SALTEX 2025: BASIS Registration Ltd will make its first-ever appearance at SALTEX on 12–13 November 2025 at the NEC Birmingham, bringing its popular Knowledge Trail to Stand D141.

This marks a key moment in BASIS’ work to champion high standards across the turf and amenity sector. After reviewing and refreshing its amenity offer, BASIS has refined its services to remain modern, relevant, and aligned with the evolving needs of professionals managing green spaces, sports turf, and landscapes across the UK.

BASIS to debut at SALTEX 2025

BASIS to debut at SALTEX 2025

Visitors can take part in the BASIS Knowledge Trail, a popular initiative which is designed to spark conversation, share insight, and support CPD learning. Partners include: Agrigem Ltd, Grounds Management Association, GreenBest Ltd, ICL Group, Lantra, NSTS and Origin Amenity Solutions.

Earn up to 6 BASIS CPD points per day

  • 2 points for attending SALTEX (sign in at Stand D141)
  • 1 point for each quiz on the Knowledge Trail or seminar visited

To take part, collect a Knowledge Trail & Seminar Stamp Card from the BASIS stand. Each completed quiz or seminar earns a stamp, and you can collect as many as you like throughout the day, but CPD points will cap off at 4. Return your card to Stand D141 to have your CPD points awarded.

Additionally Professor John Moverley OBE, Vice-Chair of the BASIS Board of Trustees, will speak on the Spotlight Stage in a session titled: “Implementing Sustainable Practice in Grounds Management – why, what, and importantly how”

He’ll explore the drivers shaping sustainable turf and amenity management and share practical tools to help professionals measure and improve performance.

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Corrina Urquhart assumes permanent leadership at BASIS

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Corrina Urquhart assumes permanent leadership at BASIS: Corrina Urquhart, who has been serving as interim CEO of BASIS since November 2024, is now stepping into the permanent role of CEO, assuming responsibility for this training, certification and auditing body.

William Burgess, chairman of BASIS, commented : “With Corrina at the helm, BASIS has found the right leader at the right time. In a short span of time, she has provided stability and clear direction. Both I and the Board of Trustees are confident that she will develop a refreshed vision for BASIS and brings with her great energy to achieve this. We are all looking forward to working with her further to drive the business forward.’’

Corrina Urquhart assumes permanent leadership at BASIS

Corrina Urquhart assumes permanent leadership at BASIS

Before her appointment as CEO, Corrina was Director of External Relations at Lantra; a significant milestone of her 18-year career in education, research, and policy. Her accomplishments include spearheading industry-first initiatives including the annual Land-Based and Environment Learner (LBEL) Awards, a deep dive into diversity issues in the environmental sector and a comprehensive evaluation of advisory services within the agricultural industry.

In 2024, Corrina was recognised for her inspirational leadership skills as a finalist of the national Woman Who Achieves Awards.

Corrina Urquhart said: ‘’I am honoured to lead BASIS and its dedicated team into its next phase. Our focus will be on improving the organisation’s ability to positively impact on people and businesses in the land management, environmental, and amenity sectors.’’

She continued ‘’Under my leadership, BASIS will adopt a proactive approach to engagement. In January alone, I look forward to meeting with members and stakeholders at key industry events including the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), and the UK Lawncare Association Annual Conference, plus a site visit through the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA).’’

BASIS is an independent organisation committed to providing professional qualifications, membership schemes, and certification standards for the land management, environmental, and amenity sectors. It offers a range of recognised qualifications for professionals working in pesticides, fertilisers and related fields. BASIS also operates an annual audit scheme for UK pesticides stores and rodenticide outlets, ensuring operations minimise risk to people and the environment. Additionally, it manages the professional registers of more than 12,000 qualified advisers in the plant protection, plant nutrition and public health pest management sectors; while serving as a forum for industry bodies and stakeholders to uphold and promote professional standards..

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Green-tech adds another team member to the BASIS Register

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Green-tech adds another team member to the BASIS Register: Green-tech, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, reinforces its commitment to investing in its people and the industry by sending another team member on the rigorous BASIS training course.

Jamie Peacock from the sales team has successfully completed and passed the BASIS Certificate in crop protection (Amenity Horticulture) and has been added to the BASIS Professional Register, strengthening the company’s in-house expertise.

Green-tech adds another team member to the BASIS Register

Green-tech adds another team member to the BASIS Register

This course provides training and certification for sellers of agrochemicals and those advising on their use in amenity. It means Green-tech has even more people available to advise their groundsmen, greenkeepers, and landscaper customers working in the amenity sector.

The BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection for Field Sales and Technical Staff (FSTS) was established in 1978 and has been approved by Ministers to meet the requirements of Schedule 2 of the Control of Pesticide Regulations for certification of those involved in the sale, advice, and supply of pesticides.

Jamie is now proficient in the choice and application of professional chemical products, with the know-how to protect people, animals, and the environment. He can advise on weed, disease, and pest control. He is also competent in the application, safe use, handling, transport, and storage of Pesticides.

Green-tech’s Head of Sales Dean Jackson comments, “Green-tech sells a wide range of chemicals.  The advice we give must be correct and most important current.  This qualification has enhanced and broadened our in-house expertise which will naturally benefit our customers. Jamie is now better placed to help and direct our customers on their choice of professional chemical products. He has a wealth of industry and product knowledge and will help a customer decide the most appropriate product for their project. This is quite rightly, a tough course as the standards set by BASIS are high, but Jamie has worked hard and I am delighted for him.”

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BASIS Classroom launches first lesson

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BASIS Classroom launches first lesson: Sustainable Turf Disease Management is the first learning module to be offered in the BASIS Classroom for those involved in the amenity sector.

BASIS Classroom, launched in 2021, enables members of the BASIS Professional Register to gain continuing professional development (CPD) points via online training. Over the past 11 months, it has proved a success. Over 17,000 courses have been taken and more than 35,000 CPD points awarded. Now, the first course for those in the amenity sector is available, with more to come.

BASIS Classroom launches first lesson

BASIS Classroom launches first lesson

This first course has been developed in conjunction with SGL which provides advice and products on sports turf around the world. The course provides an opportunity for amenity advisers to gain additional knowledge, focussed on sustainable turf disease management.

SGL agronomist Irene Vroegop said: ”In this course delegates will learn what conditions need to be met for a disease outbreak to occur and what can be done to eliminate such conditions. Disease outbreaks can be minimised by choosing a high-quality seed that is adapted to the site conditions and intended turf use, breaking the disease cycle of pathogens present or by altering the environmental conditions with maintenance practices. We will go into disease diagnosis, why a correct diagnosis is so important and what supporting tools are available.

”A high and equal pitch quality is desired by all professional and amateur athletes and will improve the performance of the athletes. Knowledge on the prerequisites of disease outbreaks will help groundsmen and greenkeepers to maintain sustainable, high-quality and climate proof pitches with successful pesticide-free management.”

There is a short assessment at the end of the course and completion will earn members 2 CPD points.

Professionalism within the amenity sector is continually improving as people engaged in the industry are trained, qualified and  improving skills through CPD. BASIS is committed to offering development opportunities to support amenity professionals. All BASIS Amenity Register members will have access to this course through the BASIS Classroom with login details provided by e-mail.

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